Germany: Populist AfD Party Sues Intelligence Agency Over ‘Extremist’ Label

Image: Jihad Watch

Berlin, May 5 (Reuters) – The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has filed a lawsuit contesting the decision by Germany's domestic intelligence agency to label it as an extremist organization. This move follows last week's announcement by the agency.

A representative from the administrative court in Cologne confirmed that the lawsuit, along with an urgent petition, has been submitted. Both will be reviewed once the domestic intelligence agency (BfV) confirms its notification.

The extremist designation, made public on Friday, enables the BfV to intensify its surveillance of the AfD, including activities such as recruiting informants and intercepting communications within the party.

A confidential, 1,100-page report from the BfV labeled the AfD as a racist and anti-Muslim group, although the document will not be disclosed to the public.

The AfD argues that the classification is politically motivated and aimed at discrediting and criminalizing the party.

Key figures from the U.S. Trump administration have condemned the classification. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Germany to reconsider, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has publicly supported the AfD.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)